Don’t try so hard to make everyone around you happy. And stop trying to win their approval.

Stop using their opinions as a compass for your direction.

Some will love what you have to say and how you live for Christ, hugging you for it.

Others will be completely against you, glaring at you every time you walk in the room.

People can be fickle, changing their minds and chasing after the crowd to fit in – living for the applause and running after the spotlight.

But God never changes. He is totally faithful.

God can make your enemies be at peace with you. He can give you favor in difficult situations with difficult people, and He can guide you through times of uncertainty.

He goes with you when you’re the only one walking away from the crowd.

God doesn’t want you wearing yourself out, trying to make everyone else happy. That’s not your job.

But loving them IS your job.

It’s also your PRIVILEGE to serve Christ by doing so.

Don’t you see? Serving Christ is the best plan for you. It is freeing knowing you don’t have to run yourself ragged competing or trying to please others.

You won’t have to worry about them turning against you if you don’t follow along and conform to their standards – standards that may change in a matter of moments.

You won’t have to be obsessed with likes and follows on social media just to feel accepted.

When you live to please God, you get to be the YOU He created you to be – an original masterpiece, a priceless treasure – His precious child.

Why would you want to be anything less by trying to be what others want or expect?

Oh, precious soul. Don’t worry about pleasing others. Keep pleasing your heavenly Father by serving and loving Him more deeply in the way He designed – with all of your heart.

“Am I trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Galatians 1:10 NIV.